France Haul

I recently came back from a 2 1/2 week trip to France.  I was able to visit Paris and Toulouse - what an amazing experience.  So many people were asking me what i bought and I honestly didn't get to do too much shopping.  The whole trip revolved on doing things that the kids wanted, things that they would enjoy, and experiences that they would remember.  Shopping wasn't a priority to say the least.  But one day I was able to sneak away for a few hours (thank you mom) and snag a few things.  I of course had to stop by Zara and Sephora.  The 2 stores that I LOVED and can only dream that they would bring here to the US are Bershka and New Look.  I later came to find out that Bershka is under the same umbrella group as Zara.  They are both under Inditex.  Both stores have similar aesthetic except I would say Bershka is more reminicent of the Zara's TRF line - its younger and more trendy - but still classy.  It's a blogger's haven.  The price points and quality are comparable to that of Zara.  New Look I would say - is more comparable to Forever21.  It's fast fashion, trendy, for lower price points.  I chose key pieces that i felt I could rotate and rework with my existing wardrobe while maintaining an elevated look.  Here's what I chose.

Zara - biker jacket  - similar here 

Bershka - Pleated skirt 

New Look - faux patent leather mini bag

New Look  - longline olive sweater 

New Look  - mink 2 pom beanie  (for Alessa :)

The rest of my Euro's I spent on chocolate croissants and nutella crepes ;).

Love - Karen

The Modern Boyfriend Jean

1. LOFT relaxed skinny fit 2. Madewell Slim Boyfriend fit 3. HM Girlfriend fit 4. Madewell Slim Boyfriend fit 5. LOFT Relaxed Skinny fit 6. Madewell Slim Boyfriend fit

Hallelujah!!  I found the best boyfriend jeans for curvy girls!  I've always loved the relaxed look of  the boyfriend jean, but I never even allowed myself to try them on because i just knew it would look horrible on me.  I'm only 5'3" and I'm curvy.  I was at the mall shopping with my girlfriends recently and we went into the Madewell store.  That's where I saw the sign: Slim Boyfriend jean.  It was literally calling my name.  It might as well have been lit up like Marquee lights.  I beelined for them and tried them on.  It was literally love at first sight.  Its not as baggy as the normal boyfriend jean but it still had that easy look.  It was perfect around my thighs.  It had a little bit higher rise so this covered love handles or potential muffin tops. I started daydreaming about my future outfits: casual looks with my white converse sneakers and a grey v neck tee, dressier outfits with heels and a crisp tuxedo blazer.  My heels!  They literally sit in my closet because I don't have enough functions to wear them to.  But with these jeans i could wear my heels everyday without looking too stuffy.  It was a little pricey but you know, I've been living in them so its so worth it.  So if you've been looking for a great pair of more flattering boyfriend jeans - you must try the Madewell ones on.  I did try the Loft relaxed skinny and HM's girlfriend fit and they are great lower priced alternatives.  Their rise is a little bit lower so its not so forgiving with the love handles.  But if this isn't a problem then check them out!  Your closet potential will increase significantly.  

Enjoy!!!!! Love, Karen

Closet Staple - Striped turtleneck

I have been living in a my striped turtlenecks this season . I have it in quite a few colors and it really transforms well in any outfit because its so great for layering.  It adds dimension to neutral outfits without adding bulkiness or distraction.  Here are some great options to pair/style this closet staple with.

This turtleneck can be found in a variety of colorways for a great price here. And would look great paired with these:

1. HM knit poncho 2. SheInside coat 3. Ann Taylor cable knit sweater 4. Missguided Cape 5. Missguided pleated skirt 6. Missguided midi skirt 7. Sam Edelman pumps 8. Cayetano Legacy Collection necklace 9. HM boyfriend jeans

Here are some great looks by some of my fav's:

Paired with a great blazer and a leapard clutch  - Hello Fashion Blog

Layered under a chunky cable sweater paired with boyfriend jeans and some killer heels: Atlantic- Pacific

Romantic Shoot

In the wake of Valentine's Day, i wanted to post pictures from a shoot Olivia Palermo did for "Brides Magazine" for the summer issue last year.  I am absolutely in love with the styling, the blush colors, the beautiful scenery in the background, the hair and makeup, everything.  So dreamy right?

Monday inspiration

Happy Monday, loves!  Here's some Monday inspiration.  Surround yourself with people who love, inspire, and encourage you as a person.  Evaluate your world and make sure you are constantly surrounded by, as Kelly Cutrone would say it, "your tribe."   Think about those people in your life who are always backing you up, always encouraging you to follow your dreams, those who hold you accountable for obtaining those goals, and those who sincerely want to see you happy.  Those are the people you should hold close.

Love, Karen

Planner Inspiration

So my new infatuation for 2015 is decorating my planner.  Up until now, i have relied on my phone's calendar and several pads of post it notes to keep myself organized.  But at the end of last year i told myself i would work on my self organization.  So I bought a cute planner from Target and I thought i was set.  Until i was introduced to the unknown world of decorating your planner.  YouTube star, Belinda Selene is well known for posting a lot of content on decorating your planner with different colored post its, washi tape, stickers, etc.  While i don't necessarily want to go all out, I did think it would be cute to post inspirational quotes or pictures that would keep me happy or keep me motivated throughout the year.  So I went on Pinterest and looked up pretty pictures to put on my own mood board.  I printed these on white labels and stuck them on my planner.  And there you have it - your own personalized planner :) Incase you've never heard of this phenomenon before, go on instagram and look up #planneraddict.  You would be surprised at how far people go! 

Designer look for less: Carrie's blue Manolo Blahnik wedding shoes

We've all been in love with Carrie's blue Manolo's from her wedding day in Sex and the City.  And seeing Olivia Palermo wear it for her wedding pictures just fed our obsession even more.   Whether its the romantic symbolism behind it or our plain old love for fashion and a beautiful shoe, it's one of the most coveted shoes in the world.  Unfortunately it comes with a steep price. If you have a grand to spare, you can get it here.  Or if you're like me and need a more reasonably priced alternative, i found a great version by Audrey Brooke called the Sarah pump.

Audrey Brooke Sarah pump avail here

 Its absolutely beautiful and still conjures up images of this in my head: